Sunday, December 6, 2015

Who Bought The ISIS Oil, Russia or Turkey?

The war of words continues after Turkey shot down a Moscow warplane with Recep Tayyip Erdogan attacking Russia's accusations that it bought oil from Isil

The Turkish president has said he has proof that Russia is involved in the illegal oil trade with Isil in Syria as he attacked Russia's claims that Ankara buys oil from Isil.

Recep Erdogan speaking in Ankara on Thursday AP

After Russian military chiefs publicly accused the Turkish government of funnelling millions of dollars in illicit oil revenues to Isil terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned as "immoral" Russian claims that his own family was importing oil from the jihadists.

"We have the proof in our hands. We will reveal it to the world," Mr Erdogan said in a televised address in Ankara.

Vladimir Putin and Recep Erdogan in friendlier times

"In recent days a fashion led by Russia has emerged. Actually, Russia does not believe this either," said Mr Erdogan, referring to the alleged oil trade with Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

"Look, Russia has to prove that the Turkish republic buys oil from Daesh, otherwise this is a slander," he added, using an Arabic acronym for Isil extremists.

"The immoral side of this issue is involving my family in the affair," Mr Erdogan added on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Erdogan repeated his vow to resign if Russia proved their allegations.